The Perfect Storm: A Metaphor for Women's Suffrage in Iron Jawed Angels - Prof. Mary E. He, Papers of History of Education

Download The Perfect Storm: A Metaphor for Women's Suffrage in Iron Jawed Angels - Prof. Mary E. He and more Papers History of Education in PDF only on Docsity!

Running head: The Perfect Storm The Perfect Storm: Iron Jawed Angels Brooke L. Thompson Missouri Western State University

This paper is a reflection on the movie Iron Jawed Angels. After watching the movie, I compare the struggles that woman have endured for our right to vote to the “Perfect Storm.” I explain my metaphor through key parts of the movie such as institutionalized sexism, culture sexism, and individual sexism. I explain the calm of the storm, what factors led up to the storm, what I saw as the storm, and the aftermath. Throughout my arguments in the paper, I continue to use my metaphor “The Perfect Storm” to make my points. At the end of the paper, I explain what I learned from the movie.

National American Women’s Suffrage Association (NAWSA). I would compare this to the calm before the storm. When the NAWSA didn’t support the Paul and Burns aggressive manner and shut down their Congressional committee, the younger girls decided to start their own party; the National Woman’s Party (NWP). Many powerful factors led up to the fateful parade on March 3, 1913 and the storm of the inevitable arrest for “obstructing traffic” in front of the Presidential offices. Let me start with factors relating to culture sexism. I would compare culture sexism to a heavy rain. First off, women were working in the early 1900’s; these jobs consisted of things like working in a sewing factory. They did not have the right to vote because men still believed women were inferior and their opinions did not matter as much as men’s did. Comments made by men in the movie were like torrential downpours. One man on the street was quoted saying, “Women are a political danger.” A policeman, who is supposed to support and help the public, was heard saying, “Why don’t you ladies just stay at home?” (Pinckley et al., 2004). Senator Layton did not want his wife helping the suffragettes in any way because it would have been an embarrassment to him. She was supposed to be taking care of the household and kids, not supporting feminists. Plus, he makes the point to add, “Women aren’t allowed to vote dear because we already know you have too many things on your hands” (Pinckley, et al., 2004). Married woman were especially portrayed as “ladylike” in the film. The culture sexism in the movie was not just between the men and the women; it was between colored and white women as well. When the march was being organized on the day of President Wilson’s inauguration, the black women were being told to march in the back. This is where you get a peek at a mixture of racism and sexism adding to the brewing storm. These factors are like the mixing of heavy rain and strong winds. During the march, some women wore college gowns which I took as them proclaiming their intelligence. They were proving they are smart enough to vote. Once again,

culture sexism was as harsh as hail during the march when men catcalled at the ladies, spit on them, and began a stampede. One man even yelled, “If you were my wife, I’d bash your head in!” (Pinckley et al., 2004). Adding in institutionalized sexism with culture sexism is like adding thunder and lightning to the rain. When Alice Paul holds a meeting with President Wilson, Wilson declares he’s not all that familiar with suffrage and tells the ladies to “be patient” (Pinckley, et al., 2004). I think this adds fuel to the fire; it was the warning siren for the storm. The girls were ready to give it their all now. After Wilson’s immobile behavior, Alice encourages fellow suffragists to boycott Wilson in the next election. After he wins, she feels defeated, but does not give up. The women station themselves outside the Presidential Offices to picket day and night until Wilson will make the amendment for women to vote. Individual sexism is boldly present when President Wilson is trying to find ways to arrest the girls; he is trying to get around the law and finally succeeds with “obstructing traffic.” The jail scene is what I see as the eye of the storm. The women are mistreated, beaten, and talked down to. The officers were told to “teach those women a lesson” (Pinckley, et al., 2004). Apparently, this includes force feeding Alice Paul through a tube and causing her to vomit relentlessly. Finally, Alice gets word out of their mistreatment and you start to see a slight shift in sexism; the aftermath of the storm. The winds are calming down and the rain has come to a slight drizzle. Some men are outraged at the treatment the women are receiving, including Senator Layton and a public outcry takes place. President Wilson soon makes a speech about how important women are to the country; the girls have finally conquered institutional sexism. On August 18, 1920 a congressional meeting is held. The women are short one vote until a man gets a telegraph from his mother; here is your sun peeking through the heavy clouds. He votes yes and the amendment is passed. On August 26, 1920 a rainbow appears

Works Cited Koppelman, K.L., Goodhart, R.L. (2008). Understanding Human Differences: Multicultural Education for a Diverse America. Boston: Pearson Education, Inc. (2009). Merriam-Webster Online. Retrieved on June 6, 2009 from http://www.merriam-webster.com/ Pinckley, D. (Producer), & Garnier, K.V. (Director). (2004). Iron Jawed Angels. (Motion Picture). United States of America: HBO Home Video.